Excellent read. I was interested in the fact that it appears they have not made many air sorties because they are unable to prevent the Ukraine air defence systems from being effective. This made me wonder why Zelensky keeps urging NATO to provide a no fly zone which would be at odds with this. Could it be that Ukraine and NATO have decided that they actually do want Russia to take to the air more so they can shoot them down so it's a sort of double bluff?[/QUOTE]
It's strange that you mentioned that. It had also occurred to me as well, but from a different angle.
I have been struck by the number of times that Zelensky has called for a no fly zone. I'm left wondering if he and NATO have an agreement that he does this periodically, (perhaps it is code for 'send us more weapons') so that NATO can repeat its public policy to not participate militarily, while quietly doing the opposite? A proportion of the weaponry of NATO members will already be at or near the Ukraine border.
When Joe Biden or Ben Wallace announce an additional supply of weapons, perhaps they are already in place. I believe it's called logistics.
That's my conspiracy theory for today. Normal service will be resumed shortly.
It also gives him a way out- he can agree with Russia they won't join NATO as NATO wouldn't protect the skies for them anyway.